Laptop and desktop cannot share files

I have a new Laptop with Windows XP Pro and a desktop with Windows XP Home edition on the same workgroup. I have shut down Norton Internet Security on both so tehre is no firewall. BOth can reach the internet through the same DSL Modem/Access Point. Both have the Protocol IPX, SPX/NetBios installed. I cannot get them to see each other though. I want to copy files from one to the other. Any idea why they cannot see each other?

Did you share the folders that you want to share? Tip: Don't try to share folders in the Documents and Settings folders, it can get complicated. Create directories in your root and share those. Try enabling simple file sharing and using that. If you just can't see the other computer open any window with an address bar and type in \\computername or \\ipaddress and that will take you directly there. (If they are accessing the internet then they must both be on the IP network and not just on the IPX/SPX).

Have you consider using drive mapping instead? Just create a folder in one of your computers, share it, and map your other computers to that folder. My comps also had trouble seeing each other within the workgroup. But by doing the drive mapping, i was able to do what i needed to do.

Actually it ended up that after a day or two, the computers were able to see each other. I am not certain if it was just a reboot that was needed or what. But they bothy can share files now. Thanks for your suggerstions

WARNING:
If you follow the instructions here, you will wipe out your VTP and VLAN configurations. Make sure you have backed up your switch!!!
I recently had some issues with a few low-end Cisco routers (RV325) and I opened a case with Cisco TA…

After creating this article (http://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/23699/Setup-Mikrotik-routers-with-OSPF.html), I decided to make a video (no audio) to show you how to configure the routers and run some trace routes and pings between the 7 sites…